TD: Food regulator has done ‘tangible' work but concern remains
A TD has said that the Agri-Food Regulator (An Rialálaí Agraibhia) has done 'tangible' work since its formation, but concern remains over obstacles to food suppliers engaging with the regulator.
Independent TD Carol Nolan has described the work of the regulator to date as 'a tangible and hopeful indication that real progress is being made on redressing the financial power imbalance that has traditionally existed between farmers, suppliers and the retail sector'.
She was speaking after attending the inaugural conference of the Agri-Food Regulator today (Tuesday, May 20).
'I have been consistently engaging with the work of the regulator, and indeed its precursor structure, the unfair trading practices (UTP) Enforcement Authority… So I'm delighted that it continues to operate with the level of forceful commitment that we all need to see.'
However, Nolan also said: 'I do find it concerning, however, that issues I would have raised in June 2022 around fear of retaliation from the large retailers is still leading to lower-than expected levels of complaints being made.'
Today's conference saw the presentation of the regulator's first Supplier Survey, which the body is aiming to carry out on an annual basis going forward.
'The feedback from the Supplier Survey findings that were discussed at the conference made it clear that there is still quite a way to go in terms of gaining the trust of farmers to lodge complaints if they feel they are being targeted with unfair trading practices,' she added.
The Offaly TD acknowledged that some retailers 'are being much more proactive about this'.
'But what we really need to see is an equality of approach right across the board from all of the major [retailers].
Nolan called for the Agri-Food Regulator to be sufficiently staffed and resourced.
'We have the skeleton of an enforcement authority that is doing great work with what it has, but we now need to put proper flesh on the bones. That means more funding and more staff and if need be, more wide-ranging statutory powers,' she said.
Agri-Food Regulator
The chairperson of the Agri-Food Regulator has indicated that he is confident that the regulator will be afforded further powers in order to carry out its functions.
Speaking to Agriland at the inaugural conference of the Agri-Food Regulator today (Tuesday, May 20), Joe Healy said that, with the powers the regulator currently has, it is not possible to 'get the full picture'.
'We're very straight, very independent and very honest with the businesses, but we want them to give us the information as well,' Healy said.
'We are happy, having met the minister…[that] the government is committed in the Programme for Government to giving us enough power to do our job, he said his department are treating it as a priority…and that it his intention as minister for agriculture to ensure that the Agri-Food Regulator has the powers to carry out the duties it was set up to do,' the regulator chairperson added.
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